Sunday, November 4, 2012
Survivors are part of a sisterhood, whether they choose to be or not. And sharing stories—funny, sad, ironic—is what sisters do best.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. Hearing the words, "I'm sorry, but it's cancer," comes as a shock to anyone, and I never thought I would hear them that day. I was in my mid-40s, a marathon runner, healthy eater, non-smoker, no family history. The only real risk factor I had was giving birth to my first child after age 30. I cried (hysterically), I went for a long run the next morning, I got a second opinion, I told only a handful of people and I went about my busy life trying not to think about it. I made a list of other women I knew who had fought—or were fighting—this awful disease. In a few moments, I came up with more than 15 names of women in my community, most of whom were right around my age. Clearly, I was not alone. If…
73-year-old fields phone calls from around the country from men diagnosed with breast cancer.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
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Sunday, November 4, 2012
William Woodfill's habit of not using a washcloth in the shower may have saved his life. "I felt this lump one day ... underneath my left breast," he said. "I knew it shouldn't have been there." For the next month, he checked the lump, monitoring its progression as it grew from the size of a pea to the size of a lima bean. "He couldn't stick anything in it, so he said that we had to take it out," he said of the surgeon who attempted to biopsy the growth with a syringe. It was breast cancer. "I went back fully expecting not to have cancer," said Woodfill, who noted that about 1,500 men a year are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States. "And that was the big stunner … it flipped the switch from things are normal to things …
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Breast cancer isn't age specific. Here's how to cope with treatments and augmentations if you are diagnosed earlier in life.
- BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
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Sunday, October 28, 2012
Generally speaking, a woman in Georgia has a one in 119 chance of getting breast cancer each year, according to this breast cancer statistics chart from komen.org. An American woman in her 30s has a one in 232 chance of getting the disease, and a woman 20 years her senior has a one in 42 probability, according to the website. “Although we aren’t certain, the cause of breast cancer in younger women is likely caused by a genetic predisposition,” says Ann H. Partridge, M.D., M.P.H., the medical oncologist director of the Adult Survivorship Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. While breast cancer treatment in young women is often effective, the chance of recovery tends to be worse in women under 40. Breast …
Saturday, October 27, 2012
When it comes to mammograms, some medical centers are turning this uncomfortable medical test into an excuse to throw a party.
- BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
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Saturday, October 27, 2012
It's no secret why women dread mammograms: the paper gown, the technician grabbing your "girls" to fit them onto the cold, metal X-ray plate, and then of course, there is the squishing of the breasts while you hold your breath. It may be a life-saving screening process, but not the most fun you can have in an hour. But lately, some health professionals have come up with some ways to make the process less heinous. It all starts with some wine and cheese... Breast cancer survivor and Patch editor Ronni Newton of Connecticut went to her first mammogram party two years ago at an imaging center in her town of West Hartford. The party was the brainchild of two women, one of whom worked for the center and had been procrastinating her own exam …
This weekend in Marietta—'Strandemonioum' a rock and roll Halloween special, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K, Marietta Zombie Walk and Cobb Fall Festival of Fun.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Early detection of breast cancer through routine exams saves thousands of lives every year.
- BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
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Saturday, October 20, 2012
Studies have shown that early detection of breast cancer improves the chances of a cure. That in itself is the most important reason to make an appointment today for a breast exam or mammogram. Going for an exam can be nerve-wracking. To better understand the importance of exams, here's helpful information that explains the process, when you should go and why: Breast self-exams There has been a lot of heated debate in the research and medical communities about the usefulness of breast self-exams in detecting breast cancer in the early stages. One cancer research organization has even said it’s a myth. The American Cancer Society’s guidelines state that women don’t need to do these exams irregularly, let alone regularly. So, does that mean …
"Uplift: Secrets from the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors" shares the wisdom of breast cancer survivors with the newly diagnosed. What's your story?
- BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
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Saturday, October 20, 2012
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One of the greatest challenges for those who have been newly diagnosed is finding sources of support. Patients are eager for information on everything from enduring surgery and chemotherapy to how to deal with hair loss. Best selling author and breast cancer survivor Barbara Delinsky has gathered the wisdom of hundreds of breast cancer survivors who are eager to inspire those who are new to the “breast cancer sisterhood.” She shares all of the stories and tidbits she found in her book "Uplift: Secrets from the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors." First published in 2001, the book was updated for a 10th anniversary edition published last year. Delinsky donates all the profits from the …
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Research shows good nutrition and exercise can help prevent breast cancer.
- BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
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Wednesday, October 10, 2012
You might be able to find help fighting breast cancer and other types of cancers at your local grocery store and fitness centers, according to the research findings of Dr. Marian Neuhouser, Ph.D, RD. Dr. Neuhouser is a nutritional epidemiologist with a background in nutritional sciences. She is an investigator at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Her research is focused on lifestyle factors such as nutrition and physical activity. Some factors may prevent breast and prostate cancer and improve survivorship in those diagnosed with cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, more than 200,000 American women are diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 American women will die …
Monday, October 8, 2012
Smyrna-Vinings Patch wants to tell your story during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and we want to share your stories. Have you had an experience with breast cancer yourself? Was a friend or family member diagnosed? Do you know a particularly inspirational survivor in the Smyrna-Vinings area? If you have a story to tell. Please contact Editor Melissa Kory at melissa.kory@patch.com. If you also have a photo we could use, please attach it to your email. There are also three ways you can post content directly onto Patch and - all are free and very easy to use. Simply follow the instructions below. 1. Become a Patch Blogger and a part of "Local Voices" You can go to this direct link to start - http://marietta.patch.com/blog/apply. 2. Events Calendar To Post an Event: go to http://…
Friday, October 5, 2012
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which means a variety of pink products will be hitting the shelves. But, do your pink purchases always go towards the cause?
- BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
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Friday, October 5, 2012
A wave of pink is flooding stores everywhere, as retailers participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For the savvy shopper, it's an opportunity to donate to a good cause while snagging unique, pink-hued items. But before you plunk down your green for some pink, the nonprofits behind Breast Cancer Awareness Month want you to check the label. Jenna Glazer, director of development for Young Survival Coalition (YSC), a global organization dedicated to helping young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer, said that buyers should be on the lookout for a label or tag that tells where the money from the purchase goes. "If you walk into Bed Bath & Beyond and see something with a pink ribbon and no information about where the money is going…
Pam J
11:56 am on Sunday, October 28, 2012
What's next, a pap smear party? Because I hate those more than mammograms. I don't know one woman that hates mammograms so much that they have to get drunk before having one. I'm sorry, but I think this idea is kind of nuts. more ›